Suicide is coroner’s verdict at inquest

A 41-YEAR-OLD depressed man who had relationship difficulties was found hanging in the basement of a Polegate hairdressers after leaving a suicide note for his sister, an inquest has heard.

Christopher Morrish, of the High Street, Polegate, was found dead by his sister’s partner on July 8, 2010 and an inquest into his death was held at Eastbourne Magistrates Court on Tuesday (May 17).

Coroner Alan Craze was told that the 41-year-old had suffered a long history of depression and had been to see his GP shortly before his death to get new medication.

Teresa Morrish, who runs the Hairlines salon in Polegate where her brother was living, went to open the salon as usual and found the back door was locked.

She gained entry at the front door and then found the basement light was on and there was a suicide note in the kitchen.

She left the address and went to get her partner who went down to the basement and found Mr Morrish’s body hanging.

Mr Morrish had told his doctor he had daily thoughts about wishing he wouldn’t wake up but said he had made no plans to take his life.

He was told to visit A&E if he felt he was going to harm himself. Teresa told Mr Craze her brother had been in a relationship with a woman for around six years and, despite the relationship being rocky, was struggling to admit it was over.

Teresa also said Mr Morrish was ‘noticeably moodier and snappy’ shortly before his death. He had also spoken about being lonely.

Mr Craze recorded a verdict of suicide while the balance of his mind was disturbed.

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